Staff Absence FAQs
Answers on staff absence insurance, claims, cover and wellbeing support for schools
Schools UK FAQs help schools, academies and multi-academy trusts find clear answers on staff absence insurance, claims, policy cover and staff wellbeing support. This page is designed for school business managers, bursars, headteachers, CFOs and trust leaders who need straightforward information before requesting a quote or reviewing their current arrangement. Schools UK staff absence insurance is arranged by Schools UK and underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc, with Financial Conduct Authority regulation applying to Schools UK as administrator and Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection applying to the AXA-underwritten insurance product.
What is staff absence insurance for schools?
Staff absence insurance for schools is designed to help educational settings manage the financial impact of employee absence. Instead of carrying the full cost of supply cover or disruption internally, a school can insure against defined staff absence events and receive a daily benefit in line with the cover selected in its policy schedule. Schools often use this type of cover to improve budget certainty and reduce the pressure created by unplanned absence costs.
Who is Schools UK staff absence insurance for?
Schools UK staff absence insurance is relevant to maintained schools, academies and multi-academy trusts that want more predictable financial protection against staff absence. It is especially useful for school business managers, bursars, headteachers, CFOs and trust leaders who need to balance staffing continuity, operational resilience and budget control. The policy wording defines an insured person as someone employed by the insured and named in the staff list, subject to the policy terms. With the advent of mutuals to the market, we fully understand the ‘downward-spiral’ risk that can occur – this is why we offer contractually guaranteed insurance-backed claims. Learn more about insurance vs mutuals here.
Is Schools UK staff absence insurance underwritten by AXA?
Yes. The policy wording states that the policy is arranged by Schools UK and underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc. It also states that Schools UK is a trading style of City and General Direct (UK) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Does FSCS protection apply?
The policy wording states that AXA Insurance UK plc is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. That means you may be entitled to compensation in the unlikely event AXA cannot meet its obligations, depending on the type of insurance, size of the business and the circumstances of the claim.
What types of absence can be covered?
The policy wording states that cover can include absence due to bodily injury and sickness, and also lists additional covered events such as bereavement leave, compassionate leave, Covid-19, family care, jury service, paternity or paternal adoption leave, pregnancy-related illness, staff suspension, stranded staff and union duties, subject to the schedule and policy terms. This breadth of cover matters because many schools are concerned about gaps and exclusions in the market.
How do schools make a claim?
The schools should first check their policy, then notify the Schools UK expert and friendly claims team using the online claims management portal, by phone or by email. Generally, the documents that are needed are a self-certification up to 7 days, medical-certificate past 7 days and MATB1s for maternities. We reserve the right to ask for further documentation if necessary.
What evidence might be needed to support a claim?
Where requested, documentary evidence can include items such as a self-certification document, medical certificate, staff list, MATB1 form, jury service court summons or grant of adoption letter and more. The exact documents depend on the reason for absence and the policy conditions.
Why is claims visibility important to schools?
Clear claim visibility helps schools plan budgets and manage staffing costs while a claim is being assessed. Schools UK provides an online claims portal with live status updates, helping authorised users understand where each claim is in the process.
Can multi-academy trusts use staff absence insurance?
Yes, this type of cover can be perfect for multi-academy trusts as well as individual schools. MAT leaders often look at absence insurance not only as an insurance decision, but as a budgeting and operational consistency decision across multiple settings.
Is wellbeing support separate from the insurance product?
Yes. Schools UK describes wellbeing support separately from its staff absence insurance so schools can clearly understand the difference between regulated insurance protection and wider staff support services. Statements about AXA underwriting, FCA regulation and FSCS protection relate to the insurance product, while wellbeing support is presented as an additional service designed to help schools support staff health, attendance and resilience. Keeping these elements separate makes the offer clearer, more accurate and easier for schools to assess.
What does Schools UK mean by wellbeing support?
Schools UK wellbeing support is designed to give staff fast, practical help with everyday health and wellbeing needs before issues grow into longer-term absence. This includes Direct Healthcare Cashback, access to services such as a 24/7 GP, support for mental health and wellbeing, and the freedom to use providers without unnecessary pre-approval. The focus is on prevention, early support and simple access, helping schools care for staff while reducing the risk of disruption caused by avoidable absence.